Steel Bridge Design Handbook Design Example 3: Three-Span Continuous Horizontally Curved Composite Steel I-Girder Bridge

Horizontally curved steel bridges present many unique challenges. Despite their challenges, curved girder bridges have become widespread and are commonly used at locations that require complex geometries and have limited right-of-way, such as urban interchanges. Some of the important issues that differentiate curved steel girders from their straight counterparts include the effects of torsion, flange lateral bending, their inherent lack of stability, and special constructibility concerns. Also, the complex behavior of horizontally curved bridges necessitates the consideration of system behavior in the analysis. This design example illustrates the design calculations for a curved steel I-girder bridge, considering the Strength, Service, fatigue and Constructibility Limits States in accordance with the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Designs specifications. Calculations are provided for design checks at particular girder locations, a bolted field splice design, a cross frame member design, shear connector design, and a bearing stiffener design.